Reviewed by: Rdubya ,  Weekend Warrior , from Libertyville, IL

Summary:
Even if much of it IS 'paved' with lime, it's still a tough ride. It is definitely tougher and more fun than Muir, and nowhere near as busy. There is still some narrow single-track around the side of a hill with a good dropoff to the left if you wiped out, all of which was really slippery and made for a good challenge. The uphills are murder, at least without rear suspension. The erosion control sucks bigtime though, killing even the best run up the hills. Many times I was stopped dead in my tracks on a great uphill climb because of it. It's still an excellent trail for the area though, and it's a good workout.

Recommended Route:
Green

Other recommended trails in the same area:
John Muir

Reviewed by: Zak Single Track Attack , from green bay/milwaukee

Summary:
for aerobic training & endurance base, this is better than john muir. don't expect military single track, however. it's prostituted w/ tank-wide gravel paths w/ erosion control barriers. still u can slip into low gear & pedal away, then check your pulse. despite its shortcomings, it doesn't get much better this part of the midwest, so chill.

Recommended Route:
perimeter trail, then the connector to john muir, MY MENTOR

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Route 66

Reviewed by: Old Man , from Chicago

Summary:
This place at one time was the shiznit. But just like Metallica, all things get old, boring, and out of shape. Way back in the "good ol'days" this place had fewer people riding the trail and the trails were challenging. Emma use to have a killer downhill section with some wicked 90 degree turns thrown in. It was rocky, muddy, dirty, but never paved! It even had a quite intense uphill portion, hard to grind up a sandy, sometimes loose gravel, sometimes loose dirt single/double track. But now since the pavement has been laid, any jamowk with a 50 pound full suspension bike can get up it. They even destroyed the at one time excellent connector. It sure is a lot of fun flying thru a section only to be stopped several times by a fence placed in your way to save the horses. Has anyone ever seen a horse up here? I won't even start on the Muir system.
Now don't get me wrong, you can definitely get a great workout here. The scenery is still quite beautiful. I would even recommend getting on the trails at night with lights. Lots of fun and added technicality, but watch out for the gestapo WDNR. Back in the 90's you would never see these dudes, or many bikers for that matter. These trails are still worth riding, but I would never describe them as the Moab of the midwest.
And lastly, I would like to start a movement to bring the parking lots back to the dirt patches they used to be. Back then they were never crowded. Since they started paving the whole place, they've become fashion runways. Every weekend you can see the latest poof with a $4500 Titanium Super Duper Virtual Pivot Rock Shox SID World Cup Rasta Chris King XTR Mavic Crossmax Hayes riding up and down the parking lot in his matching US Postal spandex outfit. But thank God, these fools usually are not seen on the trails.
If anyone is reading this for a serious review, then here it is: these trails are still worth riding. However, go during the week (avoid weekends at all cost) and don't expect Moab. Expect a decent Wisconsin cruise. It will always beat working, and it's still a hell of alot better than anything in Illinois!!!!!!
Cheers

Recommended Route:
Any route that allows!

Other recommended trails in the same area:
The Lake Shore Trail in Chicago-nothing better than a game of urban Frogger!